Why did student go to North Korea in the first place?

American citizens who travel to areas hostile to this country should be put on notice that if diplomatic efforts to get them out of trouble fail, we will not pay a ransom.

John J. Erlanger Las Vegas

June 18, 2017 - 9:00 pm

American student Otto Warmbier, center. AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin, File

Though I have a great deal of compassion for the student (Otto Warmbier) who was recently released by the North Korean government, thanks to President Trump, I question why he went to such a dangerous area of the world in the first place. American citizens who travel to areas hostile to this country — such as North Korea, Iran and Syria — should be put on notice that if diplomatic efforts to get them out of trouble fail, we will not pay a ransom or have the American taxpayers bear any other expenses relating to their release.